3 ways to play in 4K resolution
13.10.2016
Translation: machine translated
Playing in 4K resolution is the benchmark. But you certainly need a good machine for that, don't you? Not necessarily. We present three alternatives for every budget.
Gamers love good graphics. Who can blame us? When it's all about the action and the screen fills up with explosions of all kinds, our eyes twinkle. And the higher the resolution, the bigger the smile. 4K or UHD, in other words 3840x2160 pixels, is currently the king of resolutions. Theoretically we can still do better, but we don't want to burn our wings.
The 4K gaming experience is not as inaccessible as you might think. You can even do it without selling out. I present three options for achieving that dream of ideal resolution. Only a 4K monitor is, of course, essential.
Affordable, but with compromises
The cheapest solution for 4K gaming is likely to be the PS4 Pro, which will be released in November. Admittedly, not all games will be playable in native 4K resolution, but for "The Elders Scrolls Online" and "Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare" it should be enough - with 60 frames per second (FPS) to boot! For other games, the resolution will benefit from up-conversion, which should also be a big advantage. In any case, you'll be able to taste the pleasure of 4K with the PS4 Pro.
Great value for money deals
If the PS4 Pro isn't an option, you'll need to up your budget and spend more. The PC should be equipped with a GTX-1080 graphics card. The processor is secondary. With it, you should be able to play a large proportion of upcoming 4K games in full detail. Admittedly, not always with 60 FPS and more, but this solution should allow you to take full advantage of the resolution.
Only the best is good enough
Are both solutions failing to satisfy you? Under 60 FPS you can't even be bothered to look? Then you need maximum power. The new GTX Titan X could be an option, but it can only be ordered from Nvidia itself. An SLI is also an alternative. But SLIs aren't always universally acclaimed. Often, when new games are launched, the use of two graphics cards is not yet, or even never, supported. What's more, performance isn't doubled by 100 per cent either. But once the SLI is up and running, it's a blast. With this, you definitely have enough power to get the most out of 4K gaming. For anyone wondering, "But is the experience smooth with Crysis?" I say "Yes, the experience is smooth; even with Crysis."
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Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chAs a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.
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